Christmas Eve is when excitement levels reach their absolute peak - especially for children.
Laying out milk and some mince pies for Father Christmas (don’t forget carrots for the Rudolf & Co.), straightening the stockings and getting under the warm covers, eyes scrunched tight trying to hear the sled land on your roof. It’s a miracle if a child in the land that gets a wink of sleep at all.
One thing’s for sure: parents certainly don’t. The grown-ups run around, seeing to the final touches (with help from Santa) before Christmas kicks off proper. One of the must-do tasks before it begins? Stuffing stockings full of small gifts.
This is arguably the hard part - knowing exactly what small surprises to pack into those sock-shaped sacks. Chocolate coins are timeless, but as playground trends evolve, so do stockingfillers.
From cute games to LEGO miniatures and accessories for a more playful bathtime, there are plenty of options to have them squealing with glee before they even get to the big pile of gifts under the tree.
To help inspire your stocking selection, we’re rounded up the best fillers for kids of all ages - and all under a nifty £30.
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Jellycat Huddles Duck soft toy 24cm
If you want an adorable cuddly toy for your adorable cuddly child, look no further than Jellycat. Established in 1999 in London, the company has spent the last two decades making the softest, sweetest toys it almost aches to look at them.
This duck cuddle toy is a fine example, and is part of a collection of animals holding their excitable infants - you can also find elephant, rabbit and panda pairings. All feature an obscenely soft plush that Jellycat is famous for.
So lovely we’ve had to feature if from two angles.
Buy now £37.00, Selfridges
Paw Patrol Big Truck Pups figure gift pack
Got a Paw Patrol stan in your household? There’s no better way for them to wake up on December 25 than to a sackful of new mates in the Big Truck Pups figure gift set. This set of eight makes a fantastic addition to Paw Patrol sets they may already own (or may be waiting for them under the Christmas tree).
Buy now £27.00, Selfridges
Personalised Toblerone Bar
A classic for a reason, and now customisable with their name on. Sure-fire winner.
Buy now £12.00, Prezzybox
TAMAGOTCHI Original Bandai Tamagotchi Unicorn Shell with Chain
The obsession with all things 90s shows no sign of wavering and so it was only a matter of time before Tamagotchis resurfaced. The toy that defined the decade, a new generation can learn the highs (and lows) of caring for the pixel character. Remember to clean up after it has used the bathroom, check on its health and feed them - otherwise the worst could happen.
Buy now £15.51, Amazon
LEGO DC Batman versus Harley Quinn Building Toy
Will Batman save the day on his iconic Batcycle and stop the mischievous Harley Quinn on her skateboard? Let kids build up the Lego pieces and watch as their creativity and imagination take over – it’s all in their hands.
Buy now £13.00, Argos
Carioca Jungle colour roll and pencils set
Keep your pint-sized princes and princesses up to their eyes in colouring with this self-adhesive roll that comes with a set of eight colouring pencils. Let them stick it to the table or walls safe in the knowledge it won’t leave behind any unsightly residue.
Buy now £8.00, Selfridges
Firebox Underwater LED Disco Light
Make bathing even more fun with this little gadget that will transform their bath time into a vibrant party. Featuring five different 360-degree light patterns, this light will brighten up the tub with colourful glows and flashes, and make their nightly routine that much more interesting. It’s a club in the tub.
Buy now £9.99, Firebox
World’s Smallest Walkie Talkies
Budding spies will love adventuring around with these teeny tiny walkie-talkies. Simple to use and super portable, watch as they tiptoe around on their latest mission, pushing to talk or using the morse code function, suitable within a 100 feet range. Over and out.
Buy now £16.00, Urban Outfitters
Disney Toy Story Gripper Socks
It’s playtime for tiny feet in these adorable socks made up to resemble the heroes of Disney’s Toy Story. They’re ideal for Christmas morning as the grippy soles will help limit the mayhem as kids run around in excitement. Fits ages 2 - 6 years.
Buy now £6.50, SockShop
World’s Smallest Voice Changer
This teeny megaphone will distort their voice into four different sounding ones. Batteries included... but maybe use half-charged ones to ensure peace in time for the Queen’s Speech.
Buy now £9.00, Prezzybox
Accessorize Girls shooting star push popper
Push poppers, bewildering to adults but beloved by children, for the second year running. This design is shaped like a shooting star and might even manage the task of keeping them in bed for a few precious moments longer on Christmas morning.
Buy now £3.85, Accessorize
Kids Against Maturity Card Game
Hours of fun are guaranteed with this family-friendly card game, packed full of hilarious jokes for the whole gang to enjoy. Featuring 600 cards and simple instructions, it’s an easy win for screen-free play time.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
choconchoc Melt And Make Your Own Chocolate London
Let them create an iconic London scene, featuring Big Ben, a taxi and a bus - all made out of chocolate! This easy-to-follow DIY kit from luxury chocolatiers choconchoc includes moulds and milk Belgian chocolate buttons to melt into shape. A chef’s hat is also included for the ultimate experience.
Buy now £11.99, Selfridges
Riddleland Would You Rather Game Book
Kids will stick their noses straight into this book, filled with 200 ‘would you rather?’ style questions and hilarious illustrations. Spark conversations with ridiculous scenarios, food choices, or exciting situations and get everyone chatting and debating on all sorts of topics.
Buy now £9.97, Amazon
W Wanderlust Maps Scratch Off Maps
Globetrotters from a young age? They’ll love scratching off where they’ve been on their travels with an interactive map (which doubles up as a colourful room decoration). Featuring flags for all the countries, they’ll also learn some good general knowledge and be inspired to get exploring more! Comes with two maps – one globe map and one Europe map.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Company Make Your Own Chocolate Pizza
Pizza lover? Chocaholic? Let them combine the two and design their very own seven-inch chocolate pizza masterpiece. Simply help them melt the milk chocolate buttons into the base mould and let them customise with their favourite toppings – there’s white chocolate ‘cheese’, jelly beans and rainbow drops included. Sampling their efforts together at the end will prove to be the best part.
Buy now £13.00, Prezzybox
Paw Patrol True Metal Movie Vehicles gift pack
Are they potty for Paw Patrol? Bring squeals of delight on Christmas morning by adding this gift pack into their stocking. The set features six cars with their canine drivers, ready and raring to go. Suitable for ages 3+.
Buy now £28.00, Selfridges
b small 50 Things to Save the World Adventure Journal
Your little eco-warriors will love finding this in their stocking – a fun activity journal with eco-friendly tasks to help fight the climate crisis. Featuring facts about the environment and useful tips on how to protect it, they’ll be encouraged to upcycle, reduce carbon emissions, have plastic-free parties and so much more. Watch them start changing the world!
Buy now £6.50, W H Smith
Build Your Own Honey Bee
Keep your little ones as busy as a bee with this kit that will see them making their very own insect from sustainable cardboard. Once made, the bee’s wingspan measures 27cm across. A fun little build to encourage an interest in STEM subjects.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
The Den Kit Company Fire on a Plate Kit
Get children embracing the great outdoors with The Den Kit Company. The brand specialises in kits that teach little ones about the wild and encourages curiosity in nature. For stocking fillers, this mini kit will show them how to ignite and control fire. Recommended for children aged 6+ under adult supervision. Move over Bear Grylls, there’s a new young cub in town.
The Den Kit Company offers a range of exciting kits for kids, including potion making, bird’s nest, flower press, tree planting and more.
Buy now £24.50, NOTHS
Choc on Choc Decorate Your Own Chocolate Nutcracker
The iconic Christmas soldier, a nutcracker, gets a festive makeover courtesy of your kids thanks to this kit. Once suitably festooned with All Sorts, Smarties and other candies, he can join your Christmas table by interlocking the milk chocolate body into a chocolate base to hold him upright.
Buy now £15.00, NOTHS
Kmart UK Stock Sensory Toys Set
Weird toys doing the rounds in the playground is nothing new, but yesteryear’s Pokemon and POGs have been replaced by fidget toys. The simple toys are thought to lower stress and anxiety as they push, prod and pull the plastic. Well, at least it gives their eyes a break from screens. This set should be enough to fill up a few stockings.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
